Usually a guided trip into the Abel Tasman would be ringing with overseas accents, but Saturday’s Tonga Island Marine Reserve adventure was much more of a local affair.
The guided snorkel trip was organised by Tasman Bay Guardians, who took 65 people, from seven to 75 years old, into the park.
According to event coordinator Thalassa Kawachi, the snorkelers spotted blue cod, spotties, wrasse, big red mokis, tiny seahorse, goatfish, triple fins, and eagle rays.
“Events like these bring communities together to connect with each other and te taiao, sparking curiosity and awe through firsthand experiences in marine reserves, which leads to a natural sense of kaitiakitanga and responsibility for protecting our environment,” she says.
For many people, it was the first time they had accessed the marine reserve, which is about halfway along the Abel Tasman National Park. Some participants had never snorkelled before, and others were not confident swimmers, but the trip was enough to ignite or renew a passion for the activity among many in the group.
There was also some down-time to explore the bush or relax on the beach at Tonga Quarry.
They were encouraged to work with TBG team to examine the health of a nearby stream, looking at water clarity, flow and macroinvertibrates or bugs.
Ngātīmoti’s Treena Shee took her mokopuna (grandchild) Cooper to the event, for what was the seven-year-old’s first snorkelling adventure.
"He clutched on to the board for dear life to begin with, but by the end you’d think he was a seal,” she says. “There was another lady who said she wanted to be able to touch the ground at all times, but she ended up being fine. It was amazing to see their confidence grow.”
Mana whenua from Te Āwhina Marae were also invited to participate and share local stories.
The event was free, aside from a heavily discounted $50 return water taxi fare per participant. Tasman Bay Guardians were blown away by Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle’s decision to pass on the entire $3000 in fares to the charity. The water taxi company have partnered with TBG since 2017.
Tasman Bay Guardians works to protect the freshwater and marine environment, from the mountains to the sea. They undertake environmental education, and safeguard “the unique natural heritage of the Tasman Bay region”.
The snorkel events, which also includes an annual Waitapu river drift in Golden Bay, are part of TBG’s Experiencing Marine Reserves programme, run with the support of Department of Conservation, Water Safety NZ, Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle, Ministry for the Environment through Wai Connection project.
Their next event is at Rotokura/Cable Bay on Saturday, 23 March, with registrations opening soon. Visit tasmanbayguardians.org.nz for info.
